Mississippi Black Caucus calling for special session to change state flag

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Updated: 11:24 AM CDT Aug 16, 2017

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WEBVTT HIDDEN FROM VIEW WHILE THE STATE LOOK I.N.S.TO LEGAL OPTIONS TO REMOVE IT.>>> THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS WANTS THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION OVER THE STATE FLAG.ERIN: SEVERAL MEMBERS WANT IT CHANGED BECAUSE IT HAS THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE EMBLEM ON IT.BLACK CAUCUS LEADERS SAY THE RECENT VIOLENCE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE IS THE REASON THEY WANT SOMETHING TO BE DONE.>> IT TAKES A CRIME SUCH AS THISTO MAKE A POLITICAL STAND.HOWEVER, AGAIN, I SAY, THE NEXT THING WE KNOW, WE COULD SEE BLOOD ON OUR SOIL.ERIN: THE GOVERNOR RESPONDED WITH A STATEMENT THAT SAYS IN PART, MY POSITION HAS NOT CHANGED.

No special session to take rebel symbol off Mississippi flag

Mississippi Black Caucus calling for special session to change state flag

A spokesman said Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant won't call legislators back to the Capitol to consider removing the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus on Tuesday asked Bryant to call the session in light of recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. Caucus members said the incident should be a catalyst to change the Mississippi flag, which features the Confederate battle flag in the top left-hand corner.

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"The deaths and acts of terror in Charlottesville are the latest evidence of a rising tide of white nationalism and hatred in America. The images out of Virginia were clear reminders that Confederate symbols have no place in Mississippi’s state flag," black caucus leaders said in a statement Tuesday.

Black caucus leaders also called on House Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, both Republicans, to join them in requesting a special session from the governor.

Gov. Phil Bryant responded by saying, "My position has not changed. Whatever the state flag is or is not should be decided by Mississippi voters."

Gunn addressed the events in Charlottesville in a Facebook post on Monday, saying the state flag should be changed.